(SPOT.ph) With a name like Gelare, it’s easy to mistake the ice cream at Uptown Mall’s newest dessert spot for gelato, but co-owner Talia Go is quick to clarify that it isn’t. “What we have is a hybrid American-Italian blend,” she explains, “But it isn’t gelato.” Still, it isn’t like your usual blend: “When you buy ice cream from the grocery, it says it has 400 grams. More or less you should get 400 grams even when it melts,” says Talia. “For most ice cream here, when it melts, di na siya 400 grams kasi it has air. But for us, we don’t mix air into our ice cream. If we say it’s 400 grams, it’s 400 talaga.”

Wild Strawberry

Peanut Butter 'n Brownies

If all that sounds awfully technical to you, then let their ice cream speak for itself. Gelare is actually an ice cream parlor based in Fremantle, Western Australia, and the flagship branch here in the Philippines gets all their ice cream straight from Down Under. The flavors are fun, with low-fat and vegan options, too, and you know that they don’t use anything artificial: You get real strawberry bits, for example, in the Wild Strawberry (P120/single scoop, P199/double scoop), while the Peanut Butter ‘n Brownies (P120/single scoop, P199/double scoop) doesn’t skimp on the nutty chocolate chunks. Plus, each scoop is extremely thick and creamy. They weren’t kidding about the volume, either: Expect your ice cream to overflow in your cup if you let it melt, but we doubt you’ll reach that point because you’ll be licking your spoon clean in no time.

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Classic Waffle

While you come to Gelare for the ice cream, you will stay for the waffles, also made with a waffle mix and recipe from the brand's Australian headquarters. It doesn’t get more traditional than the Classic Waffle (P180), which gives you a plate-sized waffle that remains crisp around the edges even underneath generously drizzled maple syrup. The notes of vanilla add just the right amount of sweetness, and it’s mildly eggy, too. It somehow tastes like childhood breakfast pancakes, and that touch of nostalgia levels this up.

The waffles make a reappearance in Gelare’s all-day breakfast selection, the only part of the menu where the Filipino team strayed from the Australian version (with approval from the main office, of course). “We wanted to offer heavier items because we wanted to offer more than just ice cream,” shares co-owner Ton Chua-Lim. “We wanted to cater to old people, to young people, to families.”

Waffle & Buttermilk Fried Chicken With Gravy

While listed under the breakfast section, you’ll want to have the Waffle & Buttermilk Fried Chicken With Gravy (P299) any time of the day. The hefty serving has that satisfying crunch when you bite into it, with paprika adding bright spots of flavor and color. It comes with a peppery gravy, but go right ahead and dip this in the maple syrup for a golden match.

Eggs Ben

A breakfast classic is the Eggs Ben (P279), which they serve on top of waffle slices. The eggs are perfectly poached, and you’ll want to use your waffles to soak up the rich runny egg yolk. Plus, the smoky flavor of the Hollandaise and ham just takes the sweet waffles to another flavor dimension.

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IMAGE Vincent Coscolluela

Their red-and-white interiors are clean and cheery like a classic ice cream parlor, but the fresh plants and bright sunlight pouring in make Gelare the perfect brunch destination—especially with their excellent breakfast selection. But if you want to have ice cream in the morning, who are we to stop you? We won't judge, especially if it's ice cream as wonderfully rich and indulgent as Gelare’s.